Blot excess blood with cold damp cloths, then apply a thick paste of Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz mixed with cold water directly to the stain. Leave for 30–45 minutes, then blot-rinse. The critical rule for mattresses: use minimal water. You cannot submerge a mattress, so the paste method concentrates Sil's protease enzymes right where the haemoglobin is [S1]. Sil (Grade 2.4, Stiftung Warentest) breaks down blood protein at room temperature without needing heat or soaking [S2].
How to Remove Blood Stains from a Mattress
🏆 Based on Stiftung Warentest 2024 testing [S1]
Step-by-Step: Remove Blood from a Mattress
- Blot fresh blood immediately (0–2 min). Press clean white cloths onto the stain to absorb as much blood as possible. Work from the edges inward. Replace cloths as they saturate. Do not rub — this pushes blood deeper into the mattress ticking and towards the foam core.
- Dab with cold water — very sparingly (3–5 min). Dampen (not soak) a clean cloth with cold water and dab the stain. Blot immediately with a dry cloth. Repeat 3–4 times. Use a spray bottle for precision — you need to treat the surface without saturating the mattress interior.
- Apply a cold Sil paste (30–45 min wait). Mix 1 tablespoon of Sil 1 für Alles with just enough cold water (2–3 teaspoons) to form a thick paste. Spread it directly onto the blood stain. The paste format concentrates enzyme activity on the surface and minimises moisture penetration. Leave for 30–45 minutes. For dried blood, extend to 60–90 minutes.
- Blot-rinse with cold damp cloths (5–10 min). Scrape off the paste with a dull edge, then blot with a cold damp cloth to remove residue. Repeat with fresh cloths until no product remains. This may take 4–5 cloth changes. Never pour or spray large amounts of water onto the mattress.
- Speed-dry the treated area (4–6 hours). Press dry towels firmly onto the spot to absorb deep moisture. Aim a fan directly at the treated area or open a window for airflow. In warm weather, take the mattress outside in the shade. Complete drying within 4–6 hours prevents mould growth inside the foam or spring cavity.
Test Winner
Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz
Grade 2.4Why Sil Works for Blood on Mattress
Mattress blood stains present a unique challenge: you need powerful enzyme action without excess moisture. Sil's powder format is ideal because it can be mixed into a thick paste that delivers concentrated protease enzymes directly to the stain surface. These proteases cleave haemoglobin's peptide bonds at room temperature — no heat needed — breaking the large, insoluble protein into small amino acid fragments that rinse away with minimal water [S1]. The sodium percarbonate component then oxidises the iron-based haem pigment (the reddish-brown colour), converting it to a colourless iron oxide that's easily wiped off. This two-phase action — protein digestion plus iron oxidation — is why Sil succeeds on blood where general cleaners fail. For mattresses specifically, the paste method means you use less than 50 ml of total liquid for the entire treatment, keeping the foam core dry [S2].
Mattress-safe paste method: 1 tablespoon Sil + 2–3 teaspoons cold water → thick paste. Apply to stain, wait 30–45 min, blot-rinse. For dried blood: extend to 60–90 min and repeat if needed.
What NOT to Do
- NEVER use hot or warm water. Heat denatures blood protein (haemoglobin) on contact — exactly like cooking an egg. Once coagulated, the protein bonds permanently to the mattress fabric and cannot be removed.
- Don't soak or pour water on the mattress. Excess moisture penetrates to the foam or spring core, creating an environment for mould, mildew, and bacteria growth deep inside where you can't reach.
- Don't use a steam cleaner. Steam (100 °C) instantly denatures blood protein and drives moisture deep into the mattress. It's the worst possible combination for this stain type.
- Don't scrub. Aggressive scrubbing pushes blood deeper into the mattress ticking weave and can damage the fabric's surface.
- Don't leave it untreated. Blood is protein-rich and can harbour bacteria and cause odour over time. The haemoglobin also oxidises to dark brown, making eventual treatment harder.
Mattress-Specific Warnings
Know your mattress type. Memory foam is especially moisture-sensitive — use even less water and allow 12–24 hours for complete drying. Spring mattresses dry faster but can develop mildew on the fabric covering the springs. Pillow-top mattresses trap moisture in the extra padding layer. For all types: if the stain has penetrated through the mattress cover to the foam, you may need professional mattress cleaning. For future protection, consider a waterproof mattress protector — it prevents blood from ever reaching the mattress itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get dried blood out of a mattress?
Dampen the dried stain with cold water (spray bottle), then apply a thick Sil paste and leave for 60–90 minutes. The protease enzymes rehydrate and digest the dried haemoglobin. Blot-rinse and repeat. Dried blood typically needs 2–3 treatment cycles.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide on a mattress blood stain?
Hydrogen peroxide creates dramatic fizzing but can bleach mattress fabric and degrade memory foam. Sil provides controlled oxygen release that's equally effective without the bleaching risk.
Will blood stains on a mattress cause mould?
The blood itself doesn't, but moisture from improper cleaning can. Use the minimal-water paste method and ensure complete drying within 4–6 hours.
Can you flip a mattress to hide a blood stain?
Not recommended. Untreated blood oxidises to dark brown and can harbour bacteria. Many modern mattresses are single-sided. It's better to treat properly — even old stains respond to enzyme treatment.
How do you remove blood from a memory foam mattress?
Use the cold Sil paste method with even less water. Memory foam takes much longer to dry — allow 12–24 hours with a fan. Never soak memory foam.
Sources: [S1] Stiftung Warentest, Fleckenentferner-Test 2024, Grade 2.4 (GUT) for Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz. [S2] Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, "Enzyme-based approaches to biological stain removal," supplementary materials on substrate considerations, 2022.